275 Graduate From Bristol Central High School

The Class of 2015 of Bristol Central High School graduated on Thursday, June 18, 2015.

(Robert Dixon, Special to the Courant)

MEAGHAN LATELLA

275 graduate from Bristol Central High School Thursday

BRISTOL — In the gym at Bristol Central High School on Thursday, an array of white and maroon balloons decorated the back wall along with a large maroon banner emblazoned with the school's name and crest.

There wasn't an empty seat in the room as parents and other family members packed the stands to watch 275 students in the Class of 2015 graduate. The evening opened with a harmonized version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," sung by the school's senior choir. Next came a few welcoming remarks from Principal Peter Wininger.

The graduates sat in rows of chairs, listening attentively to each speaker. The girls wore white robes and the boys wore maroon. Many of the graduates had decorated their mortarboards.

Deputy Superintendent Susan Kalt Moreau began the night's speeches by promising the graduates that life has much in store for them.

"Graduation brings a fresh new light for each of you," Moreau said. "Use that light to fix and improve our world."

The first student speaker was Haley Knox, who read the class poem, which she wrote. The poem was titled, "This Is It."

"We may know who we are now, but not who we will be; uncertain of where we will land, when that last school bell rings; and we fly — this is it," she read.

The reading was followed by a performance of "Lean On Me" by the senior choir.

"All in all, we have grown up a bit, and taken a step closer to becoming people who can change the world," said salutatorian Jean-Souvern Rioux.

Valedictorian Andrew Damon-Smith told the students: "It's OK to be afraid of uncertainty. I say recognize that fear — take it on. Growth, I'm afraid, cannot be found without pursuing your curiosity."

The final student speaker was Vinh Cao, the class essayist. It seemed as if everyone in the gym was laughing as he delivered his witty oration.

"I'd like to start off by saying that you all look very dashing in your wizard robes and geometric hats," he began. Cao promised that at the class' first reunion, he would buy everyone a round of drinks. "Non-alcoholic," he quipped. "But if I do actually become a writer for a living, I may not be able to afford the drinks."

At the close of his speech, Cao put kidding aside as he expressed appreciation for his classmates.

"I don't know what the future holds for each of us," Cao said. "All I can say is, while our days at Bristol Central are ending, our futures … are just beginning."